Norman, Barner make headway in Panthers' preseason opener

CHARLOTTE — It was just a preseason game, but two Carolina Panthers stepped up in a big way Friday night against the Chicago Bears, making a mark in tough position battles.

Cornerback Josh Norman had two interceptions, returned one for a touchdown, and added two tackles and two pass deflections. His act drew a crowd of reporters after the game.

In his second full season in the NFL, the former Coastal Carolina defensive back said he was more relaxed this time.

“It felt good. To come out here for a game, with an atmosphere like this, is great,” Norman said. “I’m calmer this time around as opposed to my rookie year.”

With the release of long-time Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble in March, coach Ron Rivera is looking for the right cornerback combination. Norman is competing with 12-year veteran Drayton Florence as well as Captain Munnerlyn, who had two pick-offs for the Panthers last season.

“I’m blessed and very fortunate to be here with the Carolina Panthers,” Norman said. “Everything that I do I work to get better every day. Just take what I’ve done at practice and translate it over. That’s the biggest thing.”

Norman’s first interception came on Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler’s first pass of the game. Cutler missed receiver Alshon Jeffrey and found Norman instead, an interception that set up a Carolina touchdown three plays later.

“I pressed (Jeffrey) and he ran an in-route — like a slant,” Norman said. “I squeezed him and came over the top, got my hands on it. I’m glad I was in the right spot.”

He returned his second interception 60 yards for a third-quarter score, picking off Chicago third-stringer Matt Blanchard and making a couple guys miss on the way to putting the Panthers up 21-10. After he scored, he leapt into the Bank of America Stadium front-row crowd near the end zone.

“I said the first time I ever touch the end zone, I want to go up there and get with the fans,” he said. “I’d seen it on TV, so I said, ‘Why not?’ “

Norman played in all 16 games last season, registering 73 tackles and one interception. And while he got off to a good start, it’s still preseason.

“It’s a huge confidence boost for him to come out and start like that,” Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson said. “It’s still preseason, you can’t be satisfied off that. You’ve got to keep your momentum going and try to get better.”

Rookie running back Kenjon Barner had a little less media attention, but his stamp was no less noticeable.

Barner took over with the second-string offense and immediately made a mistake. He caught a pass in the flat from Derek Anderson, made a couple moves and promptly fumbled, recovered by the Bears. He was also at the center of another fumble — third-string quarterback Jimmy Clausen was credited with the turnover as he mishandled a hand-off to Barner.

The first-year player out of Oregon, where he rushed for 21 touchdowns for the Ducks last season, wasn’t afraid to be self-critical.

“That’s unacceptable,” Barner said. “I can’t have that. In no way, shape or form can you win games with turnovers. I’ve got to get that corrected and continue to get stronger.”

He straightened himself out. He rushed nine times for 37 yards and a touchdown, a 5-yard blast up the middle at the end of an 11-play, 82-yard drive at the end of the second quarter. Barner also displayed a little strength, running right through a tackler on a kick return early in the fourth quarter. He said his transition to the NFL is coming along well.

“It’s still a work in progress but with this great coaching staff and the teammates I have, they’re kind of making it seamless for me,” he said. “Guys are always helping me, giving me pointers, telling me what I’m doing wrong, what I need to do better.”

The running back position is also in flux behind starter DeAngelo Williams. With fellow former Oregon player Jonathan Stewart not in action Friday, Barner is one of three healthy options to back up Williams, along with third-year backs Armond Smith and Tauren Poole.

“(Barner)’s an exciting guy to watch, and we learned that (against Chicago),” Carolina quarterback Cam Newton said. “He has so much elusiveness and can attack a defense in space.”